MG, the triumphant centennial

To celebrate a hundred years of successes and challenges, MG is preparing to introduce the Cyberster in Europe, a modern vision of its achievements.

We are in 2024, and MG is a name that matters in this new electrified automotive world. Just a few years ago, however, MG was a brand destined to become a footnote in Wikipedia as a lost British gem. It symbolized a carefree era when driving a small lightweight convertible was the height of sophistication, yet it had failed to make the transition to mass production automobiles. Fortunately, the SAIC Group acquired the struggling brand in 2007 with the ambition of reviving it on a global scale. A simplistic vision would have been to only buy the name and badge to place them on in-house creations, but SAIC went further by acquiring all the assets, thus becoming the new guardian of the brand’s history. A gamble that turned out to be a stroke of genius!

A hundred years are worth a Roadster

Recognizing that the Morris Garages badge continues to inspire dreams, SAIC has greenlit the development of a fun car to celebrate this centenary. And what better than a modern fully electric roadster, directly inspired by the legendary MGB of the 1960s, to win hearts?

It must be acknowledged that the designers had fun, with unique and masculine lines. Special mention goes to the design of the rear, which displays true character, and the fabric roof that opens in 10 seconds at speeds under 50 km/h. Proudly sporty, the car is equipped with 20-inch wheels, red Brembo four-piston brake calipers, and of course, the now-famous butterfly-opening doors. Inside, there is an astonishing triple LCD screen centered on the driver. MG has announced two powertrains to propel this beast. One with 310 horsepower to the rear wheels only, and a hellish variant with 510 hp featuring two motors serving as all-wheel drive. The latter would be capable of going from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds and covering about 500 kilometers on a single charge in mixed cycle thanks to a 77 kWh battery.

The French public will have the chance to discover the Cyberster at the Paris Motor Show, from October 14 to 20, and most importantly, learn about its pricing. During its European presentation, MG announced a starting price close to 70,000 euros, but the tsunami of customs fees has since passed, and it has not spared MG. We hope for a calmer situation by then.

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